Washington, DC -- November 6, 1997 --
The National Space Society has learned that Senators Bob Graham
(D-FL) and Connie Mack (R-FL) will introduce to the Senate tomorrow
a companion bill to the House version of the Commercial Space Act
of 1997 (H.R. 1702), which was passed by the House late Tuesday
night.

In a statement issued late this
afternoon, National Space Society President Charles Walker,
speaking for the space advocacy organization which represents
25,000 members and chapters in every state, said,

"It is extremely encouraging
to see members of the Senate taking action and introducing
legislation that keeps space competitive by updating a number of
critical laws. With this step, the Senate recognizes the potential
the commercial space industry has for generating new markets and
jobs here on Earth, not only in technology, but in support areas
such as insurance, financial and legal services. With $77 billion a
year global revenues in 1996 and potential global revenues of $200
billion by 2000, the space industry is ready to take center stage.
The U.S. can be sitting right up front. The National Space Society
applauds Senators Graham and Mack for taking this initiative. We
heartily encourage their colleagues to support this important
bill."

The National Space Society is an
independent, nonprofit space advocacy organization with
headquarters in Washington, DC. Its 25,000 members and 95 chapters
around the world actively promote a spacefaring civilization. For
digital images of the conference, visit http://www.nss.org/summit. For a
series of reports on conference presentations, visit NSS's Space
Exploration Online at America Online, keyword "space."